What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Latest Exhibition
Victory!
This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
A new exhibition, called Victory, marks this significant milestone in world history, and the story of the RNZAF.
Victory includes images and memories of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day which have been sourced from photographs, letters, postcards and personal histories in our collection.
Victory includes insights into how Kiwis celebrated, and how they felt.
Many found it difficult to rejoice after so much loss and suffering.
You’re welcome to come along and learn all about the end of World War Two with us. The exhibition is on in our upstairs balcony in the atrium.
Exhibition
The Mighty Hercules
We are delighted to let you know that our latest exhibition, the Mighty Hercules, is now open. Come and visit and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft.
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#Extraordinaryaircraft
Help us build a home for our #extraordinaryaircraft
Our Lockheed C-130H (NZ) Hercules and P-3K2 Orion have had long-term preservation work completed so they can be safely stored while we work on plans for a new permanent exhibition space large enough to house them.
Measuring 29.8m from nose to tail, with a wingspan of 40.5m and a tail soaring to just under 11m high, the Hercules is too large for our current exhibition halls. The Orion is almost as tall and even longer – stretching to 36m thanks to its submarine-detecting tail boom.
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Update
Overseas visitor charge
A $15 entry charge was introduced for all international visitors to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand from 31 March 2025. Tickets available online or from our Welcome Desk on arrival.
We were sorry to have to charge after being free for so many years, but the charge is required to cover rising costs and to contribute to our new $16 million extension to house the newest members of our collection – our historic Hercules and Orion aircraft.
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Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
ANDOVER MAKEOVER: Our team has been busy carrying out conservation work on our Hawker Siddeley Andover.
Andovers came equipped with a unique ability to kneel on duty, or genuflect if they were in church.
This ability made them very versatile for loading and unloading and makes for an interesting aircraft to work on.
In this video, Ron Reeve, who has clocked up 60-odd years working on all sorts of aircraft all over the world, talks about the Andover conservation project.
#hawker #HawkerSiddeley #hawkersiddeleyandover ... See MoreSee Less
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Saw one 1995 at wings over waikato
CHOOK FLIES IN: Sergeant (retired) Steve ‘Chook’ Clark dropped in to say hello to his favourite aircraft – the McDonnell Douglas TA-4K Skyhawk.
Steve joined the RNZAF in 1977 and trained as an avionics specialist. He left in 1993, and loved his time serving on No. 42, No.14, No. 75 and Avionics squadrons.
“I think everyone says it, but it is the camaraderie with the people you serve with,’’ Chook says.
“I also loved the precision of the training we received. The base training was excellent and it has served me well for a career in communications and IT.’’
Steve’s highlight was his time working on the Kahu Skyhawks. Project Kahu was the name given to the extensive avionics upgrade of the Skyhawks, which massively improved their capability. Our display aircraft, NZ6254, was the first two seat Skyhawk to get the Kahu upgrade in the late 1980s, and the first to fire a Maverick missile.
Chook travelled to Grand Rapids, Michigan to train for Kahu, which was a long way for a Chook from New Zealand to fly, but also a fantastic experience and career highlight.
Steve, Jakob and Gaye were visiting from their home base in the Manawatu and made a beeline for the museum as their first visit in Christchurch. Quite right too!
Thanks for your service, Chook, and for visiting your museum. ... See MoreSee Less
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I had just moved to the US (Michigan) when there was a knock on the door. Chook and Pete 'Bubbles' Leenen (RIP) stood there grinning, armed with a tray (2 dozen) of Steinlager cans. The guys were down the road in Grand Rapids doing their KAHU training. Needless to say, not much got done that weekend. Great to see you, Chook (with Gaye and Jakob).
Not policatically motivated comment. I was going to join the airforce, even had the recruitment packs, I wanted to do exactly what Steve did, be an avionics technician, and then comrade Helen came along.... Thank you for your service Steve.
Weren’t they always ’K’ models? A USN ‘F’ model with different weapons and / or nav systems?
Go Chook! ❤️
NEW COMPETITION: What’s orange, comes from Canada, served in the RNZAF, and rhymes with Justin Bieber?
And will be on display for the Ice & Sky Explorers’ Day on Saturday 11 October?
Tell us in the comments below and go in the draw to win our swag bag full of NZDF goodies.
To find out more about the FREE Ice & Sky Explorers' Day check here: airforcemuseum.co.nz/events/ice-and-sky-explorers-day/
#iceandskyexplorersday #antarticanz #christchurchnz ... See MoreSee Less
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DHC-2 Mk.1 Beaver. You should invite the RAAF to fly over a Growler, they'd make a fine pair 😁
At last - one I can answer lol! De Havilland Beaver
That has to be a Beaver, a DH Beaver 🦫
DHC-2 Beaver 🦫
DH Beaver CJ Morton have you seen one of these planes before?
De Havillind Beaver. Isn't there an example still flying in NZ
Please, please, please, do not have someone, even just for fun, name your Beaver "Justin".
The almighty De Havilland Beaver! 🦫
de Havilland Canada Beaver
De Havilland Canada Beaver
My absolute favourite the DH beaver. She’s an absolute beauty
De Havillind Beaver.
DH Beaver! Such cool planes.
De Havilland Canada Beaver
De Haviland Beaver. Lovely aircraft, handy in remote areas.
De Havillind Beaver.
My favorite aircraft The DH Beaver
DHC-2 Beaver
DHC Beaver.
De Havilland Beaver
A DH Beaver!
The DH BEAVER
DH Beaver of course
De Havilland Beaver
De Havilland Beaver.
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